Scoring Personal Care and Household Chemical Products

GoodGuide counts the number of ingredients in each product that are categorized as low, medium or high health concern. We then factor in other negative information (such as regulatory restrictions) and any available positive information (such as third-party certifications) to assign product scores.

Overview

GoodGuide counts the number of ingredients in each product that are categorized as a low, medium or high health concern. We then factor in other negative information (such as regulatory restrictions) and any available positive information (such as third-party certifications) to assign product scores.

To rate a personal care or household chemical product on Health, GoodGuide utilizes the following attributes:

A health hazard score based on the number of product ingredients that are categorized as low, medium or high health concern.

Indicators that the product exhibits other negative aspects (e.g., does the product contain ingredients that have been banned or subjected to regulatory restrictions).

Indicators that the product is among the best on the market in its category (e.g., has the product been certified as safe or healthy by a credible third-party).

Indicators of data gaps that preclude evaluation of the product (e.g., no or inadequate disclosure of product ingredients).

Product-level data on environmental performance are generally unavailable for personal care and household chemical products, so GoodGuide relies on company-level environmental scores to characterize the performance of a product on this dimension.